Hi all, long time no see. I have been recovering from my ninth big open surgery, this one was for adhesions, again, had the surgery in the beginning of January. It was a really rough one and I was actually hospitalized for a month.
Then, 2 weeks ago I got an obstruction, or so I thought, from the pain. Turns out I had a huge abscess so I had to stay in the hospital for a week and a half. I was really surprised by the pain of it.. they had me on a ton of antibiotics and pain meds and I got blocked up while I was there. The abscess went away.. I started feeling better, thought I got unblocked, and went home on liquids.

I've started to regain my appetite but the problem is, stuff seems to be getting caught up near the bottom of my small intestine, probably kinda close to my pouch.

After I eat, it makes it way through no problem then it hits that spot, I get pain and it just sits there until it liquefies and squeezes through.. VERY SLOWLY. I get a bulge on the right side, like half a beer gut and I can feel stuff swinging around in there when I stand up
It's worse at night and Its just so. auugghh!!!!!!!

I'm sure my body is absorbing a lot because I went about 2 weeks without eating, but there's no way the tiny liquid amount coming out is enough.

I was trying liquids, (I have those enlive drinks)that seemed to go through a little better but I was SO hungry!! So I thought maybe real food would push it through. Just gives me a bigger bulge that lasts for days.

I have tried massaging the area, jumping up and down, enemas, milk of mag several times a day since I got home this past Friday. Nothing is helping. The stuff that comes out is similar to when we are 'starting up' again after surgery or something.. very clearish, sometimes opaque. Yesterday I got a tiny bit of 'soft stool' but it was like a itty bitty bit and hasn't repeated itself.

Am I dreaming or is it possible this might break up on it's own? I am terrified to go to the doctor again. I can't handle another surgery.. I just can't hack it anymore.
I'm here at my bf's alone for the week, I can't drive like this.. I can probably get my folks to come get me and take me to my gastro or the er for a ct scan or something if I HAVE too.

Has anyone ever had this before and had it just go away.. It's just so weird. I can literally feel the poo sitting there and I can't imagine whats blocking it. I swear I didn't swallow a coconut.

Thanks

- Sarah

Sounds like a stricture?

Sue

I don't know.. I should mention that, nearly the whole time I was at the hospital, this last time for the week and a half or so, I was sitting in bed with my legs pulled up as tight as they could.. Was just hurting too much and I didn't even realize I had stayed in that position until my heels started hurting like crazy.

Also my surgeon said he saw an Ileus in the last cat scan but thought it would go away on it's own.
Sorry I forgot to mention that, I'm brain dead.
I just did ten laps around my driveway. it doesn't hurt right now and the bulge is down but when I eat it will bulge up again. Should I stay on liquids, you guys think? :/ I'm so hungry!!!

I hope your all doing okay.

- Sarah

Well I called my most recent surgeon and through his nurse he encouraged me to eat.. and to try taking fiber again. The nurse said she'd never heard of this before, never heard of anyone being able to feel a specific area being blocked and they both suggested it could be 'a bug going around..' I asked what sort of bug blocks up ones intestines in one small area but she didn't know.
I have an appointment to see him thursday and I guess if it gets worse I'll just go to the ER.
I guess no one else here has dealt with this.
I can't catch a break. I am so sick of this, I wish I'd never had the surgery. - sorry.. just so incredibly frustrated.

- Sarah

Boy, this sure sounds like a stricture or an adhesion causing a kink to me. No way does this sound viral. I would stick with the liquid diet, unless you want to be able to show your doc the area of distension at your appointment. Something with this clear of a symptom should show up on a simple x-ray, and not even need a CT.

Good luck.

Jan

Thanks Jan.. I will do the liquid thing then. Going to call my old gastro doctor,.. we don't get along but maybe he can offer some help.

It did seem though, that when I ate solids, stuff pushed through a little more.
Starting to get pain in my back though, I may just go to the ER tomorrow if it stays like this.. and the surgeon can kiss my malfunctioning butt.

Thanks!!

- Sarah

I suppose it could be an ileus of just a portion of your intestines (like maybe some nerve damage from all your adhesions, surgery, and infection?), but I would not think they would discharge you with an ileus...

Jan

Damn Sarah - it's way, way, WAY past time for you to catch a break. I'm so sorry you're living in the Big H this year. Someone needs to really get on top of this for you. I'm sure you'd also appreciate that.

kathy

So, what was it?! b/c this is exactly what I'm going through right now and have no idea what to do! Help!